J.LEAGUE has decided to hold the 2022 J.LEAGUE ASIA CHALLENGE in Thailand. The details are provided below.
J.LEAGUE ASIA CHALLENGE is part of the J.LEAGUE Asian Strategy, and had been held for three years starting in 2017 in partner countries of the league.
The 2022 season, which marks the fourth competition and the first to be held in three years, will take place in Thailand where we have signed a partnership agreement with the Thai League in 2012, and where many football exchange projects have been held to date, including the 2017 and 2019 ASIA CHALLENGE.
From the J.LEAGUE, Kawasaki Frontale and Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, which is widely known in Thailand and has added a Thai player from the 2022 season, will be participating in the 2022 competition.
■ Competition Name: 2022 J.LEAGUE ASIA CHALLENGE in THAILAND
■ Organizer: Japan Professional Football League (J.LEAGUE), Thai League
■ Partners:
■ Match Fixtures:
| Date |
Kickoff time (TBC) *Local time | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
|
12th Nov. (Sat.) | TBD | BG Pathum United vs. Kawasaki Frontale | BG Stadium |
|
12th Nov. (Sat.) | TBD | Buriram United vs. Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo | Chang Arena |
| 15th or 16th Nov. | TBD | Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo vs. Kawasaki Frontale |
TBD *Bangkok Area |
*There is a 2-hour time difference between Thailand and Japan (e.g. Thailand 18:00, Japan 20:00)
*Match schedule and fixtures are subject to change.
■ Venue:
- BG Stadium (Pathum Thani Province / Approx. 40 min. by car from Bangkok)
- Chang Arena (Buri Ram Province / Approx. 1 hr. flight from Bangkok)
*The venue for 15th/16th November will be announced once it is confirmed.
■ Participating Clubs:
- Kawasaki Frontale (2021 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE season Champion)
- Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo (2021 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE season ranked 10th)
- Buriram United (2021-22 Thai League 1 Champion)
- BG Pathum Unite (2021-22 Thai League 1 ranked 2nd)
■ Broadcasting: TBD
*Further details on broadcasting to be announced as soon as decided.
■ Introduction of overseas clubs:
Buriram United
Placed first in Thai League 1 for the 2021-22 season, Buriram United were founded in Buriram province in the northeastern part of Thailand in 1970.
Buriram United have won eight League titles since their first League one in 2008.
They are a powerful club that have won numerous titles, including five Thai FA Cup titles and six Thai League Cup titles since 2011.
Supachok Sarachat had played for Buriram United until his transfer to Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo this season. Meanwhile, current Buriram United player Theerathon Bunmathan was a member of Yokohama F·Marinos until the previous season.
Buriram United have many close links to the J.LEAGUE, and are led by manager Masatada Ishii, who previously led Kashima Antlers to the J1 LEAGUE title in 2016. This year, manager Ishii has led Buriram United to a league championship, as well as titles in the FA Cup and League Cup, becoming the first Japanese football manager to win a treble of trophies in an overseas league.
BG Pathum United
Placed second in Thai League 1 for the 2021-22 season, BG Pathum United were originally founded as Bangkok Glass FC in 2006.
Bangkok Glass FC won their first title, the Thai Super Cup, in 2009, just three years after their establishment.
They changed their name to BG Pathum United from the 2019 season and won their first league title in the subsequent 2020-21 season.
BG Pathum United concluded a partnership agreement with Cerezo Osaka in 2012, and the two clubs are engaged in active exchanges. For this season, Chaowat Veerachart has been playing for Cerezo Osaka on a fixed-term transfer.
The team is led by manager Makoto Teguramori, who has managed V-Varen Nagasaki and Vegalta Sendai, as well as the Japan National Team at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics.
BG Pathum United have also been strengthening their international presence in recent years, advancing to the final tournament of the ACL for two consecutive years, among other achievements.
*Further details on competition format to be announced as soon as decided.
*Information on press coverage for this competition will be announced separately.
